EC as regards the extension of the EC action programme in the field of civil protection - Main contents

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dossier	COM(2004)512 - Amendment of Decision 1999/847/EC as regards the extension of the EC action programme in the field of civil protection.
source	COM(2004)512
date	20-07-2004

1. In December 1999 the second Community action programme in the field of civil protection was adopted by Council Decision 1999/847/EC i. It aims at ensuring better protection for people, the environment and property in the event of natural and technological disasters across the Community. Indeed, it provides for a range of projects, exchanges of experts, workshops and other actions endorsing cooperation and mutual assistance between the Member States' civil protection services. The action programme supports and supplements Member States' efforts at national, regional and local levels. Within the current programme, the Commission is focussing its efforts on a limited number of major projects with a wider European impact. Emphasis has been put on a few major projects concerning prevention, information of the public, crisis management, disaster medicine and networking of the various volunteer associations active on the ground.

2. Several events during the past years have highlighted the need for an action at the European level such as the Prestige accident, the forest fires during the summer 2003 and the floods in the south of France at the end of 2003. These accidents have all brought together assistance coming from several Member States and they showed the need for a joint preparation and reciprocal information. Moreover, EU citizens need to be better informed about possible accidents and how to react. The projects aiming at educating young people have proven particularly successful.

3. As the current Community action programme in the field of civil protection expires on 31 December 2004, it is proposed to extend it for a period of two years, starting from January 2005 and ending in December 2006.